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{sup 40}Ar/{sup 39}Ar age of the Lathrop Wells Volcanic Center, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Journal Article · · Science
; ;  [1]
  1. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Paleomagnetic and Ar/Ar analyses from the Lathrop Wells volcanic center, Nevada, indicate that two eruptive events have occurred there. The ages (136{plus_minus} 8 and 141 {plus_minus} 9 thousand years ago) for these two events are analytically indistinguishable. The small angular difference (4.7{degree}) between the paleomagnetic directions from these two events suggests they differ in age by only about 100 years. These ages are consistent with the chronology of the surficial geological units in the Yucca Mountain area. These results contradict earlier interpretations of the cinder-cone geomorphology and soil-profile data that suggest that at least five temporally discreet eruptive events occurred at Lathrop Wells approximately 20,000 years ago.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
138289
Journal Information:
Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5020 Vol. 253; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English